Atlanta restaurant culture criticism going viral

[LateToCult 41,829]

Viral food critic Keith Lee traveled to Atlanta to try some of the city's most coveted food spots -- as well as some smaller businesses that could benefit from exposure on his platform. 
…

The purpose of Lee's reviews are to highlight small restaurants, some of which happen to be Black-owned businesses. But this also means bringing fair awareness to each restaurant's strengths and weaknesses. 

In the case of Lee's visit to The Real Milk and Honey on Main Street in College Park, the taste test went awry after Lee claimed the staff at Milk and Honey said they couldn't service Lee's family due to a deep cleaning -- despite the doors being open and other patrons coming to pick up orders.

Shortly thereafter, Lee said that staff recognized him and attempted to service him but he declined due to how his family was treated. Despite this, Lee still encouraged his audience to give the restaurant grace saying that although he had a bad experience, that doesn't mean others will. 

https://www.11alive.com/amp/article/life/food/keith-lee-visits-atlanta-food-critic/85-da04fcb0-2ce4-4e1a-9ff5-9727f29ab4d2

And since this article was posted Keith Lee was left empty handed at a SECOND Atlanta restaurant. It was Kandi’s restaurant (from Real Housewives of Atlanta). Even Cardi B joined in on the conversation last night. She said sometimes she has her staff name drop her so they actually get food when she’s in ATL. 
Tons of people are giving their scathing opinions about Atlanta’s restaurant culture being so anti customer service. ATL gays, is it really the trenches down there? 

[Guest]

I’ve heard nothing but bad reviews of OLG (Kandi’s restaurant) I think even Sheree bought it up on the reunion.

[LateToCult 41,829]

1 minute ago, Sine From Above said:

I’ve heard nothing but bad reviews of OLG (Kandi’s restaurant) I think even Sheree bought it up on the reunion.

Her staff getting a zoom meeting soon, I fear 

[Guest]

Just now, LateToCult said:

Her staff getting a zoom meeting soon, I fear 

I get she wants success, even though she’s probably the most successful housewives with her businesses and achievements but I think she’s spreading herself too thin ! 

[LateToCult 41,829]

10 minutes ago, Sine From Above said:

I get she wants success, even though she’s probably the most successful housewives with her businesses and achievements but I think she’s spreading herself too thin ! 

A hit job me thinks 

 

[RAMROD 117,004]

Depends on the owners, I think. I saw this being vira on twitter too. And lots of POC been saying that black owned businesses tends to have this behavior (?)

 I have yet experience that, and hopefully never. I did however went to a place that will place surcharge to parents who cannot or did not keep their kids behave while in the premises though. That was kinda cool lmao

[JazzGa 14,652]

I don't think it's an "ATL culture problem" but a "restaurant that got famous/went viral because of something that has nothing to do with being a good restaurant so now they are overhype for no reason despite being crappy" problem, aka a "celebrity-hyped restaurant problem."

We have restaurants like that here in my city (same region as ATL but not ATL) that go viral because Jack Harlow ate there, or Jonny Cash/the guy from The Walking Dead supposedly owns it, or whatever. They get slammed with customers for a  while cuz of the virality and the staff cant handle it, then the shininess wears off and they close. I'm convinced this is a business model for celebrities cuz it happens so often

[RAMROD 117,004]

9 minutes ago, JazzGa said:

I don't think it's an "ATL culture problem" but a "restaurant that got famous/went viral because of something that has nothing to do with being a good restaurant so now they are overhype for no reason despite being crappy" problem, aka a "celebrity-hyped restaurant problem."

We have restaurants like that here in my city (same region as ATL but not ATL) that go viral because Jack Harlow ate there, or Jonny Cash/the guy from The Walking Dead supposedly owns it, or whatever. They get slammed with customers for a  while cuz of the virality and the staff cant handle it, then the shininess wears off and they close. I'm convinced this is a business model for celebrities cuz it happens so often

 

Nah, it's that restaurant's problem. They go as far as calling/mocking Keith as autistic after it went viral.

[RAMROD 117,004]

The owner and the manager of that place are a mess and have zero PR skills.

After things went viral, they instead double down on their arrogance

 

 

 

[Roughhouse Dandy 13,597]

Lmao 

I went to college around the area and the vast majority of places in atl are fine. You can usually tell which establishments are gonna present obstacles, and 99% of those end up being fine as long as you know how to come correct. People may not like it but that's the culture. In the 5-ish years I was there I only had like 2 truly negative experiences. Just be chill people and don't act crazy or superior. This doesn't need to turn into a critique of black people like some are attempting to make it 👀

[djfreemymind 1,330]

When you're in ATL, you're in ATL time. Even the traffic is slow. People are not pressed down here and especially not for a customer lmao. Sorry bout it.

[NCgaga 4,345]

Depends on what part of Atlanta you’re in. I’m there frequently and there are restaurants in certain areas that DO NOT put customer service first, and the people have attitudes. Then, there are other areas where the restaurants are normal.